Manchester United fielded six different centre-back combinations in their first 10 games in front of the newly-arrived Andre Onana.
That number has increased with Luke Shaw’s return from injury as the debate over the best pairing continues. At the start of the season, it was unanimously accepted that Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez would be the first picks.
Martinez, injured for the rest of the year, may still lay his claim but Varane has dropped down Erik ten Hag’s pecking order.
Harry Maguire has performed sturdily since he got his break back in the side after a summer when he was stripped of the captaincy. READ MORE: Evra spots hint that 'something is wrong' for Varane READ MORE: United explain Varane absence vs Chelsea However, few United fans see the England international as a long-term option and there is a sense this purple patch is just that rather than a return to form.